Deputy Cross-Sectional Imaging Manager (Operational)

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

CLINICAL

The post holder will need to balance the number of planned clinical sessions to maintain skills in any given week, with non-clinical sessions to ensure adequate provision is made for designated management duties.

• Support the CSI Manager with the management of the day-to-day running of the service to ensure appropriate care is delivered to patients referred into the service.
• Display evidence of good anatomical, physiological and pathological knowledge to assist in the clinical justification of Cross-Sectional Imaging referrals in line with both national regulations IR(ME)R 2017 (Ionising Regulations (Medical Exposure) Regulations) and local protocols.
• To receive and attend patients if necessary, ensuring accuracy of entries onto the RIS (Radiology Information System) and prepare patients for examinations.
• To act as an operator and Practitioner under IR(ME)R 2017.
• To implement the requirements of all radiation legislation for the cross-sectional imaging services at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.
• To liaise with referral sources where clarification is required for the most clinically appropriate imaging.
• To act as a point of advice for imaging referrers.
• To act as a patient advocate in radiation protection issues.
• To assess specific communication needs of individual patients.
• To acquire high standard diagnostic images and position patients accurately for examinations, taking into account patient limitations and adapting standard techniques where necessary.
• To have excellent theoretical and practical knowledge of Cross-Sectional Imaging equipment ensuring adherence to departmental protocols at all times.
• Provide information by explanation and demonstration, of often-complex procedures, listening to the patient’s requirements in order to encourage compliance with the imaging process. Some patients will have a barrier to understanding e.g. dementia, language barriers, or be unable to communicate.
• Patients will have injuries or illness that will require adaptation technique, utilisation of developed motivational and persuasive skills to acquire correct positioning and produce an acceptable diagnostic imaging.
• Provide reassurances as to the necessity of a CT examination involving a risk associated with the harmful effect of ionising radiation.
• To communicate effectively and empathetically with relatives of patients.
• To ensure that images are reported upon in a timely and accurate manner.
• To ensure that urgent findings are communicated, and patients are directed accordingly.
• To review, develop, modify and comment on continuing appropriateness of imaging protocols. To develop new techniques and protocols in line with technical developments and to ensure that all radiographers within the area are trained accordingly
• To ensure all appropriate infection control measures are utilised, paying particular attention to personal protection as well as the management of equipment and linens where contamination from body fluids has occurred.
• The radiographer must have sufficient knowledge to assess when the use of contrast media may be contra-indicated and has the ability to assess a patient’s physical condition post injection to check for any reaction to the contrast media and take appropriate steps if reaction does occur.
• Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, when undertaking cross-sectional imaging examinations to provide a high quality of service to the patient.
• Maintenance of Departmental Records.

ORGANISATIONAL

• To liaise with other departments/wards within the hospital and various external sources in order to provide a quality service to patients and clinicians, resolving issues wherever possible at a local level.
• To support the development of the Cross-Sectional Imaging Service keeping abreast of any changes in working procedures, making recommendation when necessary.
• To participate in the safe transfer of patients and equipment within the department and hospital respectively, using manual handling guidelines and risk assessment.
• Be able to exercise personal responsibility and make decisions in unpredictable situations.
• Maintain knowledge of the equipment to promote safe, effective, and efficient handling with the clinical setting, to uphold Health and Safety guidelines.
• To order and maintain adequate stocks levels of necessary consumables for the provision of the service.
• To report clinical and non-clinical incidents in line with Trust and departmental risk management policies. To investigate clinical non-clinical incidents within your area of control.
• To supervise and support staff working with the speciality on both professional and operational matters, offering advice where required.
• To organise workload in line with clinical priorities.
• To adapt and quickly respond to changes in service, patients of departmental need.
• To reflect on systems of work and communicate areas of deficit or potential advancement.

MANAGERIAL

• To have expert knowledge and have the ability to train others on the full range of technical application available on the Cross-Sectional Imaging equipment and when introducing new techniques.
• To manage and monitor daily activity within the speciality including waiting and reporting times.
• To monitor and report equipment faults and to determine the severity of a problem and its probable impact on the workload. To make a balanced judgement on when to call in a service engineer, taking into account the effect on the normal running of the department. To liaise with equipment suppliers regarding the attendance of an engineer at a suitable time in the event of a minor faults or immediately in the event of a total equipment failure.
• To rearrange works list in the event of equipment, being responsive to the inconvenience caused to patients by the short notice of cancellation of appointments.
• To perform regular equipment testing, ensuring all results are documented and reported.
• Ensure continuing familiarisation with the current QA measure in place within the department.
• To utilise trust electronic systems to maintain compliance with Trust policies e.g. incident reporting, payroll attendance.
• Investigate  complains and incidents when required, providing a response to the Cross-Sectional Imaging Manager within the agreed timescales.
• Take responsibility for decisions undertaken when using own initiative whenever the situation demands e.g. referral to the safeguarding team if applicable.
• To produce weekly and out of hours/weekend rotas(e-roster)for trained staff in Cross-Sectional imaging department.
• To liaise with the Radiology I.T. Systems and Performance Manager(and deputy) with regard to the quality of information stored on the CRIS and PACS systems, especially with regard to financial information.
• To ensure that computerised and other staff records are up to date.
• To ensure that regular staff meetings take place so that staff are kept informed and are able to contribute to the management of the department.
• To ensure that all staff are informed of any changes across both the Trust and Directorate.
• To contribute to the development of the performance and development plans for the directorate and ensure individuals training needs are captured and supported through PDP’s and the KSF.
• To conduct return to work and sickness absences interviews where required, highlighting areas for improvement to the Cross-Sectional Imaging Manager.
• To assist the CSI manager in the recruitment and selection of staff.
• To solve problems which are beyond the capabilities or expertise of the Senior Radiographers within the area.
• To resolve informally if possible, grievances between staff.
• To deputise for the Cross-Sectional Imaging Manager when required, attending any meetings, and undertaking duties as appropriate to the role level.
• To attend any cross site meetings and forums as required.

TRAINING

• To be active in the supervision and clinical instruction of undergraduate, postgraduate, senior and junior radiographic staff.
• To undertake formalised assessments of undergraduate students and document findings in accordance with each academic institutions requirements.
• To participate in the academic programme of the department as required.
• To prepare/present short presentations or lectures for staff and participate in CPD.
• To actively participate in the departments audit programme.
• To conduct examinations according to protocol for a range of clinical trials.
• To evaluate technology and its clinical application.
• To provide training in the use of clinical equipment for other staff and monitor their progression and performance. Advising on appropriate record keeping.
• To provide elements of induction training and support for other staff
• Undertake appraisal and PDP’s for departmental staff.